RT Journal
A1 Stephenson J
T1 ERasing scary memories
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2009
FD March 18
VO 301
IS 11
SP 1118
OP 1118
DO 10.1001/jama.2009.354
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.354
AB
Previous animal studies revealed that fear memories can be altered when recalled, a process called reconsolidation. In the current study, volunteers learned a fear response to images of spiders after receiving a mild shock as they looked at spider pictures; the next day, they were given the β-blocker propranolol or placebo before viewing pictures of spiders. One day later, those given propranolol had a greatly diminished fear response to these images compared with those who took placebo, suggesting that the drug had disrupted reconsolidation of the memory's fearful emotional component.